Owner: Studio future uncertain after fire

Third-generation business started by WW2 vet

A local music instructor and band director said he is unsure when or where his studio will come back after a fire on Feb. 24.

The Sheffield Township Fire Department and other departments responded starting about 6:50 p.m. Feb. 24 when a fire broke out at KOSS Music Center, 2483 N. Ridge Road East, Sheffield Township.

No one was hurt but owner Dominic Ricciardi said the fire destroyed much of his equipment and stock of instruments. What is left was damaged from smoke inside, he said.

“I’m deeply saddened that I can no longer serve the community like I have the past 17 years and my uncle did for 17 years and by grandfather did before that,” said Ricciardi.

He is the third-generation owner of the business started in 1947 by his grandfather, Edward A. Kos, who began giving music lessons upon returning home from fighting in World War II.

The business was continued by Ricciardi’s uncle, Greg Koss, who now operates another KOSS Music Center in Florida.

“I hope to restart, but I don’t know when or where,” said Ricciardi. He spent much of Feb. 25 evaluating and boarding up the building where he has worked since 2001 and has operated about eight years.

The building cannot be occupied right now.

“It’s pretty bad,” Ricciardi said. “All my instruments are mostly ruined. There’s smoke damage, water damage.

“Nobody’s going to buy my inventory. It all stinks now,” due to smoke damage, he said.

The space served as music studio for hundreds of students who learned drums, bass, piano and other stringed instruments and horns, Ricciardi said. He billed it as “home of the greatest lessons in the world,” with specialties in sales and rentals.

It also was the rehearsal space and recording studio for his bands Kid Tested and Flannel Response, which recorded the album “For the Birds” there.

Along with instruction and his bands, Ricciardi, 35, serves as band director at St. Mary School in Avon and St. Anthony School in Lorain. He thanked those who have called and sent messages of support and noted parents of some of his students came out and offered to help on the night of the fire.

The fire started on the second floor of the structure, Ricciardi said.

More details from the Sheffield Township Fire Department were not available Feb. 25. Additional firefighters from Amherst and Avon responded to the scene.